Jeremiah 29:27
Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
לָ֚מָּה
H4100
לָ֚מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּיִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
בְּיִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 8
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
Historical Context
Anathoth, Jeremiah's hometown (Jeremiah 1:1), was 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem in Benjamin's territory. As a priestly city, it should have honored prophetic ministry, yet Jeremiah's own townsmen plotted against him (11:21-23). Shemaiah's reference highlights ongoing local opposition.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you judged a message by the messenger's background rather than by its conformity to Scripture?
- How does Shemaiah's accusation that Jeremiah 'makes himself a prophet' expose the accuser's own self-authorization?
- What does opposition from both Babylon (Shemaiah) and Jerusalem (his addressees) teach about the prophet's isolation when speaking truth?
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Analysis & Commentary
Why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?—Shemaiah's phrase מִתְנַבֵּא (mitnabe, 'making himself a prophet') drips with contempt, denying Jeremiah's divine calling. The irony is devastating: Shemaiah accuses Jeremiah of self-appointment while Shemaiah himself sends unauthorized letters. The interrogative 'why' (מַדּוּעַ) reveals impatience with Zephaniah's failure to act.
The designation Jeremiah of Anathoth may attempt to marginalize him as provincial, from a small priestly town (Joshua 21:18) rather than Jerusalem's religious establishment. Jesus faced similar dismissal: 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' (John 1:46). Geography and credentials cannot validate or invalidate God's calling—only His authorization matters.